Virginia among 7 states selected for dual enrollment education initiative

Virginia has been selected by the College in High School Alliance to develop and implement policy plans that will further its role as a national leader in dual enrollment.

The initiative will see Virginia collaborate with six other states – Minnesota, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, and Washington – to develop and implement policies that strengthen dual enrollment opportunities for high school students. Virginia will focus on improving access to dual enrollment programs, ensuring all students have the opportunity to participate.

“We want to do it well and we want all students to have access to it,” said Micol Hutchison, interim assistant vice chancellor for policy and instructional support services at the Virginia Community College System.

Dual enrollment enables high school students to earn college credit concurrently with high school. While the programs are experiencing nationwide growth, they face challenges such as transportation, limited public awareness, and a shortage of qualified faculty.

To address these challenges, a team of four representatives from VCCS, led by Hutchison, will travel to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania next month to meet with CHSA coaches. The two-year project will provide Virginia with tailored technical assistance and funding to support policies that maximize the benefits of dual enrollment, particularly for underrepresented students.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to refine and expand our dual enrollment programs, particularly in rural communities where access to higher education is limited,” Virginia Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera said.

The project will leverage existing dual enrollment partnerships between high schools and community colleges in Virginia.

"This selection validates Virginia's commitment to creating seamless pathways between K-12 and higher education," said Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Workforce Programs Felicia Ganther. "By expanding dual enrollment opportunities, we're helping students accelerate their academic progress while reducing college costs."

A CHSA grant funds the initiative.